Art in One Form or Another

Dia Beacon is Mind Boggling

Last week we took a drive up the Hudson to Dia Beaon. I've never been despite my father-in-law making every possible attempt to get me there. Not sure why it was so hard (I suppose a demanding job, lots of travel and a number of other reasons factored into it).

WeI made the (enjoyable) drive (train from NYC drops you off there, too, so no excuses!) and it blew my mind. Richard Serra, Dan Flavin, Sol Lewitt, Donald Judd, Agnes Martin. It's a greatest hits album of artists. Aside from Louise Burgeois (I'm sorry. If I can't get into her work after a huge show at the Guggenheim and now at Dia Beacon, it's just not going to happen for me).

Seeing all of these works in a space like Dia Beacon takes each artists work to a whole new level. Unreal.

Two Weeks Left to See Damien Hirst at MCA

Honestly, I think he's overrated. Would I love to have a Damient Hirst boar shot to death by arrow preserved in formaldehyde in my house, though? Yes. But, in general, I have a hard time understanding the prices he commands (same goes with Jeff Koons). In the meantime, there are two weeks left to check out his show at Denver's MCA.So, go.

Parra

From Pictures on Walls: There's nobody out there who is better at combining a filthy mind with a clean line. Parra hails (unsurprisingly) from Amsterdam where he is something of a legend. You like this one? Check out his nipple twist.

TONY's End-of-Summer Adventures

Ready for a last fling with summer 2009? Time Out New York asked New York City event planners for their favorite ways to make the dog days of August cool again.

 

Who: Josh Randall, producing artistic director of the Vortex Theater Company

His late-summer fling: “In New York City, we’re so accustomed to seeing art pushed up against buildings and in the middle of tiny parks that it’s hard to appreciate the scope and immensity of certain pieces. There’s nothing like a day at the Storm King Art Center’s outdoor sculpture museum: It’s a chance to appreciate amazing works in a completely unique setting. Storm King Wavefield by Maya Lin, is definitely a highlight for me.”

Go there now: Storm King Art Center, Old Pleasant Hill Rd, Mountainville, NY (845-534-3115, stormking.org). $7–$10, round-trip Couch USA bus service $22–$44 (includes admission; visit coachusa.com/shortline for a schedule). It’s about one hour from Manhattan.

Ad Hoc Art

(via PSFK) Ad Hoc Art is a friendly community gallery in Bushwick featuring works from the worlds of pop surrealism, low-brow, street art, illustration, comic books, tattoo and print-making. Pieces at Ad Hoc are reasonably priced and often come from artists who are overlooked in the larger NYC art scene. Excellently curated showcases and a genuinely unpretentious staff make gallery openings here unmissable events for local artists and their appreciators.

49 Bogart St Buzzer 22, Unit 1G, Brooklyn, NY

Diamond in the Roof

On the East Side, there's a penthouse in the sky -- with diamonds. A 17-room spread owned by a super-rich hedge-fund king is the city's grooviest pad, adorned with a pop-art "diamond" the size of a water buffalo.

The penthouse terrace at 1 Sutton Place South has been turning heads since owner Richard Perry and his fashion-designer wife, Lisa, installed the massive green stainless-steel sculpture by famed modern artist Jeff Koons. According to Artnet.com, the 5-foot-high work was sold in 2005 for $2.3 million and was part of a series of similar sculptures of gigantic diamonds. A blue version sold for $11 million.

Building and Caring for Your Collection

If you live in Atlanta, I recommend you head to Jackson Fine Art on Aug. 22 for a seminar about growing and taking care of your collection. Three great speakers share their insights and advice for you personal art collection. Seating is limited so RSVP!

Mad Men Takes New York

Well Played!

This Could Be Trouble: Christie's iApp

My latest addiction: Christie's iApp that allows you to browse over 450 auctions in over 80 categories including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more from the palm of your hand. You can also review auction results and learn how to buy and sell with Christie’s.